Global Times – Less than two weeks after the commissioning of China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on Tuesday that the electromagnetic catapult-equipped warship has already conducted its first live-force maritime training in a carrier formation. This reflected the speed how fast the Fujian is becoming combat-ready, said experts.

Reuters – China is mobilizing an armada of civilian ships that could help in an invasion of Taiwan – a mission that could surpass the Second World War’s Normandy landings. Reuters used ship tracking data and satellite images to monitor the role civilian vessels played in Chinese maritime exercises this summer. The drills revealed that China is devising concrete invasion plans, naval warfare experts say, and rehearsing new techniques aimed at speeding up beach landings of troops and equipment in a bid to overwhelm Taiwan’s defenders.

China Maritime Studies Institute – At present and for a period into the future, numerous security concerns and threats will persist along China’s periphery, in the far seas, and overseas. [China’s] national security threats are primarily at sea, the focal point of military struggle is at sea, and the center of gravity for the expansion of [China’s] national interest is also at sea.3 As the elite amphibious combat force, the PLAN Marine Corps finds its primary theaters of operations in oceans, on islands, and overseas. It must closely monitor maritime and overseas security developments, accurately assess security threats, coordinate maritime and overseas operations, clearly identify military requirements, accelerate transformation and development, and continuously enhance combat capabilities. This will enable it to play a critical role participating in global maritime governance and winning high-end maritime conflict.